Struck: (Phoebe Meadows Book 1) Read Free Page A

wool over their eyes for the last twenty-four years was no small feat. Manipulating them is nearly impossible for us regular people to do—and only barely possible for a god.” Ingrid began yanking clothes off hangers and tossing them into the duffel bag she’d set on my bed. “If they get to you before I can get you to the Valkyrie stronghold, you’ll either be killed or tossed into one of the Nine Worlds quicker than you can say, ‘Odin’s my dad.’”
    “Okay, Ingrid, I have to stop you right there.” Wearily, I stood, one hand out in front of me, partly to ward off the giant raven from coming any closer and partly because I had no idea what else to do. “I’m not quite sure how you know I got a weird shock today. I was sort of saving that to tell you over popcorn during our movie tonight, but this entire conversation is making me crazy. More crazy than usual. I don’t understand why you’re dressed up in a toga like a Roman Coliseum fighter, or why there’s a raptor perched on my bedpost, or why you’re telling me these odd things, but just to be clear, my parents go by the names Frank and Janette Meadows, and they live in Prospect, Wisconsin. They do not breed ravens, I have no idea what a Norn is, and I’m not going to any Valkyrie stronghold—whatever that is. And, better yet, if you don’t mind, I’d love to continue this entire conversation later. Maybe, say, in a week or two when we’re both feeling back to our normal selves?” I wanted so badly for my life to be normal again. “I know we were supposed to hang out tonight, but I’m okay with rescheduling so you can go back to…your play practice…or whatever it is you’re working on. How does that sound?” I nodded hopefully.
    It sounded like a perfect plan to me. Maybe the best one I’d ever had.
    “Not your real parents, Phoebe. I hate to break it to you like this, but as I said before, time is of the essence.” She tapped her bare wrist right below her leather arm cuff. “Your real dad fell in love with one of his shieldmaidens twenty-five years ago—which is highly forbidden, by the way. You do not mess with the help. They had no choice but to give you to the Meadows family when you were born. Frank and Janette did a bang-up job, if you’re interested in hearing my opinion. But there’s no more time to explain. We need to move.”
    Ingrid had never given off an insane vibe before, but this was seriously over the top. “Ingrid,” I started very slowly, “how is it that you know so much about me? Or, let me rephrase—the me you seem to think I am.” Did that even make sense? “We’ve never met before I moved here. I would’ve remembered you. There’s no way you can know anything about me or where I come from. This is madness, and I don’t know why we’re having this conversation. I think it’s time for you to go.” I paused, remembering my unusual situation. “You know, after you help me get the bird out.” I gestured casually to the raven, which seemed content to sit and watch us, its head bouncing between us as we talked.
    Ingrid was completely unfazed by my order for her to leave the premises. She kept talking like I hadn’t said anything of importance. “I know about you because Leela was my sister— is my sister. I was sworn to protect you the day you were born, and I take that oath very seriously.” She threw more stuff into the duffel bag.
    “I take it Leela is the shieldmaiden who gave birth to me?”
    Ingrid nodded.
    My fake real mother. “Just to humor me—if she’s still alive, why didn’t she raise me herself? You’d think a loving mother would reject the idea of her offspring being given away by her forbidden lover.” I crossed my arms. I was tired and wanted badly to lie down.
    On a bed that didn’t have a raven perched on it.
    “Odin had no choice but to seal her away. It was either that or instant death. And a baby wouldn’t have survived the transition process, and even if you had,